Habitat for Suaeda japonica on Kurahashi Island in the Seto Inland Sea

Abstract

This study focused on the habitat of the newly discovered species Suaeda japonica on the shore of Kurahashi Island in the Seto Inland Sea. We created a vegetation map using a small unmanned aerial vehicle, and surveyed the distribution of halophyte communities. In addition, we surveyed elevation, wave intensity, electrical conductivity and three-phase distribution of the soil, and distance from training levee top and seawall for 42 quadrats at each community. The S. japonica community distributed in high-salinity soil and the area flooded easily at high tide. Moreover, since the S. japonica community was distributed in an area far away from the training levee, the wave intensity of the habitat was comparatively high. Collectively, our results suggest that the habitat for S. japonica could be characterized by higher salinity stress and soil moisture, and greater disturbance following wave activity than other species.